Function of the sensate free forearm flap after partial glossectomy

Functional Assessments in Patients Undergoing Radial Forearm Flap Following Hemiglossectomy

“…[16][17][18] No significant relationships were found between chewing and radiotherapy, it is totally acceptable when considering the fact that no patients had dental extraction or mandible resection as part of their treatments, and it was supported by previous findings. 19 Benefits of preoperative radiotherapy in increasing survival time and locoregional control for head neck cancer have been described in previous authors. 20,21 Few authors, however, have analyzed how it affect postoperative functional results following hemiglossectomy.…”

A Strategic Approach for Tongue Reconstruction to Achieve Predictable and Improved Functional and Aesthetic Outcomes

“…Biglioli et al 52 and Katou et al, 20 found a higher satisfaction rate when using sensate forearm than nonsensate ones. Tincani et al 32 found that innervated flaps maintained symmetry of the reconstructed tongue, which may aid swallowing.…”

A systematic review on the sensory reinnervation of free flaps for tongue reconstruction: Does improved sensibility imply functional benefits?

“…3,4,8,9,12,18 In addition, the superiority in sensibility of sensate (RF) flaps has also been confirmed by immunohistochemistry findings: similar innervation architecture compared to normal skin was found in contrast to non-reinnervated RF flaps, which showed signs of Wallerian degeneration. 9 However, reasonable recovery of sensibility was also reported by the articles just addressing non-sensate free-flap tongue reconstructions.…”

“…3,4,17 Other articles that reported superior outcomes, however, did not support these findings with statistical analyses. 8,12 This lack of evidence is caused by various methodological shortcomings. First, the assessment of functional outcomes was often not standardized and subjective.…”

“…On speech evaluation, excellent or good intelligibility scores were achieved by all five patients in the TFL group, whereas in the other groups, a total of three patients were rated as poor (2/5 in the PM flap group and 1/5 in the primary closure group). 12,16 Effect of recipient nerve and patient characteristics on sensory outcome Recipient nerves Different recipient nerves and neurorrhaphy techniques (end-to-end or end-to-side) may be used for flap reinnervation in tongue reconstruction. The majority of articles used the lingual nerve as the primary recipient nerve.…”